Breast implant with internal flow dampening

ABSTRACT

An implantable prosthesis is provided having a membrane which holds a flowable substance. The membrane is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber with the first and second chambers being fluidly coupled via an orifice. The orifice has a size which may be adjusted by the user after implanting the prosthesis into the patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an implantable prosthesis which maybe used anywhere in the body such as the breast.

An implant provides support for the surrounding body tissue and occupiesvoids created by the removal of tissue to preserve the normal outwardappearance and feel of the body. Prosthetic devices have also been usedto enhance or augment the appearance of body parts.

Breast prostheses have long been used for breast augmentation and forreconstruction such as following a mastectomy. The prostheses areavailable in numerous sizes and shapes including teardrop, round and lowprofile. Usually, breast prostheses are implanted via a smallintramammary or pari-aerolar incision into a pocket dissected deep intothe patient's own breast tissue in front of the pectoral muscle. Incertain situations, the prosthesis may be placed behind the variouschest muscles.

Some prosthetic devices have utilized an outer shell or envelope whichis filled with a flowable substance such as silicone gel or saline.These prior art devices have tactile properties similar to normal tissuebut suffer from certain disadvantages. Saline filled prosthetic devicescan lack the proper appearance and tactile properties of normal tissue.Saline displaces relatively quickly and can create a fluid wave in theimplant which presents an unnatural look and an audible sound. Salinefilled implants also lack form stability which may result in the implantfolding over itself or visible wrinkling.

The object of the present invention is to overcome some of the drawbacksof the prior art implants. The object of the present invention is toconstruct a surgically implantable prosthetic device which may be filledwith saline and/or other fluids and which has desirable tactileappearance and other characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The implantable prosthesis of the present invention includes a membraneand an open cell structure contained within the membrane. The open cellstructure dampens fluid motion within the membrane to reduce some of theproblems with prior art devices as described above.

In one aspect of the invention, the implantable prosthesis has anorifice of adjustable size. The orifice provides fluid communicationbetween a first chamber and a second chamber in the membrane. The sizeof the orifice may be adjusted after implantation of the prosthesisusing a control element.

In another aspect of the present invention, an implantable prosthesis isprovided which has a tension element extending between two locations onthe membrane. The tension on the tension element may be altered beforeor after introduction of the prosthesis into the patient. The tensionelement may extend through a seal which permits tensioning of thetension element while preventing the flowable substance from leaking outof the membrane.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the open-cell structuremay have a plurality of voids which are substantially larger than thecells of the open-cell structure. The voids may be symmetricallypositioned relative to an axis of symmetry in the membrane.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the open cellstructure may have a natural, unbiased shape which is larger than themembrane. The open cell structure is compressed and positioned withinthe membrane so that the membrane holds the open cell structure in acollapsed shape.

The open cell structure may also include a channel extending along anouter surface of the open cell structure and adjacent to the innersurface of the membrane. The channel enhances fluid flow in this regionand, in particular, in the area between the membrane and the open cellstructure. The channels may be oriented radially with respect to an apexof the membrane, circumferentially or in any other suitable manner.

A plurality of spacers may also be used between the open cell structureand the membrane. The spacers provide an area between the membrane andthe open cell structure which enhances fluid flow in the area betweenthe membrane and open cell structure. The spacers may be attached to theexternal surface of the open cell structure or to the inner surface ofthe membrane.

The open cell structure may be selectively attached to the membrane atdiscrete locations which are separated by areas where the open cellstructure is free to slide against the inner surface of the membrane.The attachments may be along the anterior wall and/or posterior wall sothat portions of the anterior and/or posterior wall are free ofattachments to the open cell structure. The attachments may be along acontinuous strip of the membrane which, for example, forms a loops thatencircles the apex of the membrane.

These and other features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an implantable prosthesis.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the implantable prosthesis of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an internal wall having an orifice.

FIG. 4 shows the internal wall in an expanded shape which reduces thesize of the orifice.

FIG. 5 shows the internal wall separated from the rest of theprosthesis.

FIG. 6 shows the internal wall expanded to collapse the orifice.

FIG. 7 shows another implantable prosthesis having tension elementswhich may be selectively tensioned by the user.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the prosthesis of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows another implantable prosthesis having tension members.

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the prosthesis of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows another implantable prosthesis having a chamber which maybe filled or evacuated.

FIG. 12 shows the chamber of FIG. 11 expanded.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the implantable prosthesis of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows another implantable prosthesis.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the implantable prosthesis of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 shows an open cell structure.

FIG. 17 shows a membrane which is smaller than the open cell structureof FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 shows another implantable prosthesis.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the implantable prosthesis of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 shows still another implantable prosthesis having radiallyoriented channels.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the implantable prosthesis of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 shows another implantable prosthesis having circumferentialchannels.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of the implantable prosthesis of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 shows still another implantable prosthesis with acircumferential channel.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of the implantable prosthesis of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 shows another implantable prosthesis with a selective number ofdiscrete attachments along the posterior and anterior walls.

FIG. 27 is a plan view of the prosthesis of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 shows an implantable prosthesis which is attached to themembrane along two circular strips.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of the prosthesis of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 shows a plurality of spacers positioned between the membrane andthe open cell structure.

FIG. 31 shows another embodiment having a plurality of spacers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an implantable prosthesis 2 is shown. Theprosthesis 2 includes a membrane 4 which may be made formed in anysuitable manner. The membrane 4 contains a flowable substance 6 such assilicone gel, saline or any other suitable substance. The flowablesubstance 6 may also include elements (not shown), such as beads orspheres, which are suspended in the flowable substance 6 withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein may incorporate features, structures and materialsdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/316,215 to MichaelLesh, entitled Tissue Augmentation Device filed Dec. 22, 2005, thedisclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

The membrane 4 is divided into a number of chambers 10 separated bywalls 12. The walls 12 each have one or more orifices 14 which have asize which may be adjusted. Changing the size of the orifices 14 in thewalls 12 alters the flow characteristics of the prosthesis 2 in that asmaller orifice 14 will provide a slower flow rate of the flowablesubstance 6 between the chambers 10. The chambers 10 may also be filledwith a substance which further reduces the flow rate of fluid such as anopen-cell structure which may be a matrix of material, a sponge, a foamor any other suitable open-cell structure which reduces the flow rate offluid within the membrane 4 as described below in connection with otherpreferred embodiments.

The walls 12 include an inflatable element 18 which is inflated ordeflated to change the size of the orifice 14. The inflatable element 18may be formed by bonding two sheets of material 22 together to form thewall 12. The sheets 22 are bonded together around the orifices 14 and ahole is cut to form the orifice 14. Inflation of the space between thesheets 22 causes the inflatable element to expand thereby reducing thesize of the orifice 14. A control element 24 is releasably coupled tothe membrane 4 and is configured to extend out of the patient after themembrane 4 has been implanted into the patient. The control element 24permits the user to change the size of the orifice 14 after introducingthe prosthesis 2 into the patient. The control element 24 has a lumencoupled to a source of fluid (not shown) and may be provided with areleasable connection to the membrane 4 in any suitable manner. Althoughthe control element 24 is configured to hydraulically alter the size ofthe orifice 14, the control element 24 may accomplish the change inorifice 14 size using any other method such as mechanical or electrical.For example, the size of the orifice 14 could be modified using a suturewhich cinches the orifice 14 to reduce the size of the orifice 14.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, another implantable prosthesis 30 is shown.The prosthesis 30 includes a membrane 32 which holds the flowablesubstance 6. The membrane 32 may be filled with an open-cell structure34 as described above. The prosthesis 30 also includes one or moretension elements 36 which extend between two portions of the wall of themembrane 32 to help maintain a more stable shape. The tension elements36 may extend through a valve 38 in the prosthesis 30 which permits thetension element 36 to slide therethrough while still maintaining a fluidtight seal. The tension element 36 is coupled to a control element 40which may simply be a portion of the tension element 36 which extendsout of the prosthesis 30. The tension elements 36 may extend from aposterior wall 42 to an anterior wall 44 of the membrane 32 but may, ofcourse, be coupled to other parts of the membrane 32 as well.

The control element 40 is configured to extend out of the patient whenthe prosthesis 30 is implanted so that the user may adjust tension onthe tension element 36 after implantation. Tension may be applied to oneor more of the tension elements 36 to create a desirable texture andfeel to the prosthesis 30. After the desired tension has been applied,the control element 40 may be removed by simply cutting the controlelement 40 or releasing the control element 40 using any other suitablemethod. A locking element 43 is coupled to the membrane 32 whichautomatically secures the tension element 36 after tension has beenincreased with the control element 40. The control element 40 may, ofcourse, be manipulated prior to implantation of the prosthesis 30.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, still another implantable prosthesis 50 isshown. The prosthesis 50 includes a membrane 52 which holds the flowablesubstance 6. The membrane 52 may also contain an open-cell structure 56which dampens fluid motion although the invention may be practicedwithout the open-cell structure 56. A plurality of tension members 58extend through the open-cell structure 56 and are attached to themembrane 52 at both ends. The membrane 52 may have a round posteriorwall 60 which is symmetrical about an axis of symmetry 62. The tensionmembers 58 may extend from one side of the membrane 52 to adiametrically opposed side of the membrane 52. The tension members 58may also be symmetrically arranged relative to the axis of symmetry 62and may be coupled together at a junction 64 so that tension isdistributed among the tension members 58.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, yet another implantable prosthesis 70 isshown. The prosthesis 70 includes a membrane 72 having a first chamber74, a second chamber 76 and a third chamber 78. The chambers 74, 76, 78may be filled with an open-cell structure 80. The second chamber 76 isfluidly isolated from the first and third chambers 74, 78 and may befilled using a removable fill line 82. The second chamber 76 may befilled or evacuated as desired before or after the prosthesis 70 hasbeen implanted into a patient. The second chamber 76 is positionedbetween the first and third chambers 74, 78 and may generally lie in aplane but may be oriented in any other suitable manner. The first andthird chambers 74. 78 may be fluidly isolated from one another or may befluidly coupled together.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, another implantable prosthesis 84 isshown. The prosthesis includes a membrane 86 filled with the flowablesubstance 6. The prosthesis 84 also includes an open-cell structure 90which dampens fluid motion and helps to maintain a desired shape. Theopen-cell structure 90 includes a plurality of voids 92 which aresubstantially larger than an average cell size in the open-cellstructure 90. The membrane 86 may be symmetrical about an axis ofsymmetry 91 which is centrally located relative to a round posteriorwall 94. The round posterior wall 94 and symmetrical shape permit theuser to implant the device without requiring a particular orientationwhen implanted. The voids 92 are preferably symmetrically positionedrelative to the axis of symmetry 91. The voids 92 may be elongatechannels 96 cut into the open-cell structure 90 which extend from theposterior wall 94 to an anterior wall 95 of the prosthesis 84.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 9, a cover 96 may be used to cover aportion of an outer surface 99 of the membrane 4 and may be used withany of the implants described herein. The cover 96 may be a strip 98 ofexpanded PTFE which extends over, and essentially parallel to, an areacommonly referred to as the waist 100. The waist 100 is generallydefined as a radially outer portion of the membrane 52 when the membrane52 is supported by the posterior wall 60 as shown in FIG. 9. The cover96 is positioned so that at least 80% of the ePTFE is positioned no morethan 1 cm from the waist 100. Positioning the ePTFE cover 96 in thismanner provides the advantages of ePTFE, such as the promotion ofin-growth, without the high cost of covering the entire implant withePTFE as has been suggested by some prior art devices. Of course,numerous aspects of the present invention may be practiced without thecover 96 or with the cover 96 extending around the entire outer surfaceor a substantial portion thereof without departing from those aspects ofthe invention.

The cover 96 may be applied to the membrane 52 in the following mannerwhen using the strip 98 of ePTFE. The membrane 52 is held at twospaced-apart locations 103, 105 along the waist 100 and the membrane 52is stretched to increase the space between these locations. The membrane52 may be held by a curved work element which supports the curved shapeof the membrane when the membrane 52 is stretched. The strip 98 is thenattached to the membrane at both locations 103, 105 and the membrane 52is then released to release tension on the membrane 52. This process maybe repeated until the entire waist 100 is covered by the strip 98. Inone embodiment, the strip 98 is attached at 6-10 locations around theperiphery of the waist 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, still another aspect of the presentinvention is shown. An open cell structure 102 is provided which has anatural, unbiased shape which is larger than membrane 104. The open cellstructure 102 is compressed within the membrane 104 which holds the opencell structure 102 in a compressed state. The open cell structure 102may occupy a volume when in the natural unbiased shape which is 5% to20% larger than the volume of the membrane 104.

The open cell structure 102 may be larger than the membrane 104 in alldimensions or may be selectively larger in one or more dimensions. Forexample, the open cell structure 100 may have a height H which is 5% to20% larger than a maximum dimension between an anterior wall 106 and aposterior wall 108. The open cell structure 102 may also have a width Wwhich is 5% to 20% larger than a maximum outer dimension or diameter ofthe posterior wall 108.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-25, an implantable prosthesis 109 is shownwhich has a membrane 110 and an open cell structure 114 with channels122 formed in an outer surface 124 of the open cell structure 114. Themembrane 110 includes a posterior wall 116 and an anterior wall 118having an apex 120. The channels 122 may be positioned adjacent to aninner surface 126 of the membrane 110 so that the flowable substance canflow in a more unrestricted manner in the channels 122 than in the opencell structure 114. The channels 122 may extend radially relative to theapex 120 of the membrane 112 (FIGS. 18-21). The channels 120 mayintersect one another at the inner surface 126 of the membrane 112 belowthe apex 120 (FIGS. 20 and 21) or may be non-intersecting (FIGS. 18 and19). Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the channel 122 may also extendcircumferentially about the outer surface 124 of the open cell structure114. The channel 122 may also be positioned adjacent to a waist 128 ofthe membrane which is a radially outer portion of the membrane 110 nearthe posterior wall 116 as described above. The channel 122 may alsoextend around the apex 120 of the membrane 110 at a position nearer tothe apex 120 than to the waist 128 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.

Referring now to FIGS. 26-29, open cell structure 130 may be attached tomembrane 132 at a selective number of locations which are separated byportions of the open cell structure 130 which are free to move relativeto an inner surface 134 of the membrane 132. FIGS. 26 and 27 shows theopen cell structure 130 attached to the membrane 132 at four spacedapart locations on anterior wall 136 and posterior wall 138. FIGS. 28and 29 show the open cell structure 130 attached to the membrane 132along a strip 140 on the anterior wall 136 and along a strip 142 on theposterior wall 138. The strip 136 on the anterior wall 136 may form aclosed loop that encircles the apex of the membrane.

Referring now to FIGS. 30 and 31, spacers 144 may also be providedbetween open cell structure 146 and the membrane 148. The spacers 144create an area between the membrane 148 and the open cell structure 146so that the flowable substance may flow in a less restricted manner inthis area as compared to within the open cell structure 146. The spacers144 may be attached to the membrane 148 or to the open cell structure146 and may be integrally formed with either part. When attached to theopen cell structure 146, the spacers 144 are free to slide against aninner surface 150 of the membrane 148. The spacers 144 may be sized andpositioned so that less than 20% of an outer surface 152 of the opencell structure 146 is covered by the spacers 144. Stated another way, atleast 80% of the outer surface 152 of the open cell structure 146 isfree to move relative to the inner surface 150 of the membrane 148. Thespacers 144 may be arranged in a radially oriented fashion (FIG. 30) orin a circumferential pattern (FIG. 31) or any other suitableconfiguration without departing from the scope of the invention.

The present invention has been described in connection with variouspreferred embodiments and it is understood that modifications andalterations of these embodiments may be accomplished while remainingwithin the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example,the implants may be anatomical implants rather than symmetrical implantswithout departing from the scope of various aspects of the invention.Furthermore, the various aspects of the invention have been describedindependently but may, of course, be practiced together and suchcombinations are expressly incorporated. For example, the spacers 144 ofFIGS. 30 and 31 could be used in combination with the tension elements36 of FIGS. of 7 and 8.

1. An implantable prosthesis, comprising: a soft, flexible outermembrane; a flowable substance contained within the membrane; an opencell structure positioned inside the membrane, the open cell structurebeing filled with the flowable substance so that the open cell structuredampens motion of the flowable substance within the membrane.
 2. Theimplantable prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the membrane includes a firstchamber and a second chamber and a flow restricting orifice whichfluidly couples the first chamber to the second chamber.
 3. Theimplantable prosthesis of claim 2, wherein an adjustable flowrestricting orifice which fluidly couples the first chamber to thesecond chamber, the adjustable flow restricting orifice having a controlelement which permits the user to change a size of the orifice therebyaltering a flow resistance between the first and second chambers.
 4. Theimplantable prosthesis of claim 2, wherein the control element isconfigured to extend out of the patient when the membrane has beenimplanted into a patient so that the size of the orifice may be alteredafter the membrane has been implanted into the patient.
 5. Theimplantable prosthesis, of claim 1, further comprising: a tensionelement coupled to the membrane at a first location and a secondlocation; and a control element coupled to the tension element, thecontrol element being configured to increase tension on the tensionelement so that the tension element draws the first and second locationstoward one another.
 6. The prosthesis of claim 5, wherein the controlelement is configured to extend out of the patient when the membrane hasbeen implanted into a patient so that tension on the tension element maybe altered after the membrane has been implanted into the patient. 7.The prosthesis of claim 5, wherein the membrane has a posterior wall andan anterior wall; and the first location being on the posterior wall andthe second location being on the anterior wall.
 8. The prosthesis ofclaim 5, further comprising a plurality of tension elements extendingwithin the membrane, each of the tension elements being configured to betensioned independently by the user after introduction of the membraneinto the patient.
 9. The implantable prosthesis of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of elastic tension elements extending through theopen-cell structure coupled to the membrane, each tension element havinga first end and a second end which are both attached to the membrane.10. The implantable prosthesis of claim 9, wherein the membrane has around posterior wall; and the plurality of tension elements extend fromone side of the membrane to a diametrically opposed side relative to thecircular posterior wall.
 11. The implantable prosthesis of claim 10,wherein the plurality of tension elements are coupled together at ajunction which is between the first and second ends of the tensionelements.
 12. The implantable prosthesis of claim 1, further comprisinga plurality of voids in the open-cell structure which are substantiallylarger than the cells of the open-cell structure.
 13. The prosthesis ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of voids are organized in a symmetricalpattern relative to the axis of symmetry.
 14. The prosthesis of claim12, wherein the plurality of voids are elongate channels which extendthrough the open-cell structure.
 15. The implantable prosthesis of claim1, further comprising a cover material; the membrane having an outersurface, a posterior wall, an anterior wall and a waist, the waist beingan outer ring which is positioned between the anterior wall and theposterior wall when the membrane is supported by the posterior wall; thecover material extending over the membrane and being made of expandedPTFE, wherein at least 80 percent of the expanded ePTFE which covers themembrane is positioned no more than one centimeter from the waist of themembrane.
 16. The prosthesis of claim 15, wherein the outer surface ofthe membrane is exposed to tissue when implanted into the patient exceptfor the portion of the outer surface covered by the cover material. 17.The prosthesis claim 15, wherein the cover material is a strip ofexpanded PTFE which wraps around the membrane in a direction which isparallel to the waist so that the strip covers the outer surface of themembrane along the waist.
 18. The implantable prosthesis of claim 1,wherein the open cell structure has a natural, unbiased shape which islarger than the membrane, the membrane holding the open cell structurein a compressed state which is smaller than the natural unbiased shape.19. The implantable prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the membrane includesan inner surface which is exposed to the flowable substance; and theopen cell structure includes a channel extending along an outer surfaceof the open cell structure adjacent to the inner surface of themembrane.
 20. The implantable prosthesis of claim 19, wherein themembrane includes a posterior wall and an anterior wall, the anteriorwall having an apex; and the open cell structure includes a plurality ofchannels which intersect at along the inner surface of the membranebelow the apex.
 21. The implantable prosthesis of claim 20, wherein themembrane includes a posterior wall and an anterior wall, the anteriorwall having an apex; and the open cell structure includes a plurality ofchannels which extend radially relative to the apex of the membrane. 22.The implantable prosthesis of claim 20, wherein the plurality ofchannels in the open cell structure do not intersect one another. 23.The implantable prosthesis of claim 19, wherein the channel in the opencell structure extends circumferentially about an external surface ofthe open cell structure.
 24. The implantable prosthesis of claim 1wherein the membrane has a posterior wall, an anterior wall and an innersurface which is exposed to the flowable substance; and the open cellstructure being selectively attached to the membrane at discretelocations.
 25. The implantable prosthesis of claim 24, wherein the opencell structure is selectively attached at a plurality of locationsseparated by portions of the open cell structure which are free to moverelative to the inner surface of the membrane.
 26. The implantableprosthesis of claim 24, wherein the open cell structure is attached tothe posterior wall of the membrane at a plurality of locations separatedby portions of the open cell structure which are free to move relativeto the inner surface of the membrane along the posterior wall.
 27. Theimplantable prosthesis of claim 24, wherein the open cell structure isattached to the anterior wall of the membrane at a plurality oflocations separated by portions of the open cell structure which arefree to move relative to the inner surface of the membrane along theanterior wall.
 28. The implantable prosthesis of claim 25, wherein theopen cell structure is selectively attached to the membrane along astrip of the inner surface of the membrane.
 29. The implantableprosthesis of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of spacingelements positioned between the membrane and the open cell structure,the spacing elements forming a space between the membrane and the opencell structure to promote flow of the flowable substance in the spacebetween the membrane and the open cell structure.
 30. The implantableprosthesis of claim 29, wherein the membrane has an inner surface whichis the open cell structure has an outer surface; and the plurality ofspacing elements cover less than 20% of the outer surface of the opencell structure so that at least 80% of the outer surface is exposed andfree to move relative to an inner surface of the membrane.
 31. Theimplantable prosthesis of claim 18, wherein the open cell structure hasa volume in its natural unbiased shape that is 5% to 20% larger than thevolume of the membrane.
 32. The implantable prosthesis of claim 18,wherein the open cell structure has a height in its natural unbiasedshape that is 5% to 20% larger than the maximum length between ananterior wall and a posterior wall of the membrane.
 33. The implantableprosthesis of claim 18, wherein the open cell structure has a width inits natural unbiased shape that is 5% to 20% larger than the maximumwidth or diameter of a posterior wall of the membrane.